LANDSCAPING &
MASONRY, LLC

703 521-4555

about us

gallery

contact us

• Walkways
• Landscaping
• Water Features
• Patios
• Walls
• Driveways
• Drainage
• Maintenance
• Commercial
• Resources

Green Acres Landscaping Resource Center

Tips For A Great Retaining Wall

There are many situations where homes require retaining walls. Many Northern Virginia homes have been built on sloped ground, and while the home itself is level, the gardens or yards have been left on the sloped ground. In this situation many owners prefer to have the slope leveled off into sections to provide, for example, flat play areas for the kids, barbecue areas and flat flower and vegetable beds, with steps leading down to each area.

This is done using retaining walls. Retaining walls have to be able not only to hold the weight of earth behind and above them, but also to allow drainage in the event of a storm. The home-owner, on the other hand, wants retaining walls to look good; to fit in with the landscape design of the garden. So what basics are required in retaining walls to ensure that they are safe, before the aesthetics you may be looking for should be considered?

Strength for a start. That's a no-brainer. Retaining walls must be built on a proper concrete foundation, or they will be eventually swept away as the earth below softens as it rains. If there is not a concrete footing, the wall might sink or be simply swept away — it is on a slope, remember? Also, wet soil is very heavy, and exerts pressure against the wall. If there is nothing to relieve that pressure, the wall could fail.

Materials of construction used for retaining walls are also very important. Many are made from heavy timber planks, bricks and even concrete. However, consensus is that segmented retaining wall systems (SRW) are the safest. This is generally the professionals' choice, though your decision will be based on the height of the retaining walls involved and how high your retained steps are.

If they are a foot or two, then any material would do, and you hardly need a foundation. Some means of allowing water run-off would be useful, but otherwise any construction will do. Above that height and you are advised to use a good foundation, an SWR system or poured concrete and draining pipes running to a drainage system rather than straight through the retaining walls.

Bearing in mind that retaining walls can be several feet high, the correct construction must be used. Would you be happy having your child stand beneath a wall retaining tons of mud and earth just after a heavy thunderstorm, when young children like to run out and look at all the water? Retaining walls must be constructed correctly and by professionals.

That's where Green Acres Landscaping can help. We have years of experience in all stages of landscape applications. Our experts take great pride in their work, and we feel that every project is a reflection of who we are as a landscape company.

More about...

Green Acres Landscaping is a full service landscape design company, serving both residential and commercial clients in the Northern Virginia area since 1992. Our experienced team is ready to help you with any landscaping project, large or small.

Contact Us